MoonDogs Win In Dramatic Fashion
(6/22/05)

The MoonDogs squashed the Alexandria Beetles, 10-9, in dramatic fashion Wednesday night, thanks to a four run ninth inning highlighted by a game tying homerun by Aaron Grant and a three run shot by Travis Howell. The Beetles put together their own rally in the bottom of the inning but Neil Wagner closed the game out for the MoonDogs win. In their first meeting of the year, the Beetles and MoonDogs put together an offensive showcase in Alexandria, hitting a total 6 home runs.

Shane Buschini kicked off the game in the first inning with a two run home run that put the ‘Dogs up 2-0. Buschini finished the game 1-2 with one hit by pitch, two walks, two RBI, and four runs scored. Both teams surrendered the lead back and forth until the Beetles scored a run in the bottom of the seventh to take a 7-6 lead that carried into the ninth. Aaron Grant led off the ninth with a long ball to over the centerfield wall to tie the game at 7-7. Hot hitting Reid Fronk doubled to left field and was pushed over to third thanks to a Bobby Verbick sacrifice bunt. With already one homerun in the game, Buschini was intentionally walked to get to Travis Howell. The strategy didn’t work though, as Howell blasted a 3 run home run to take a 10-7 lead.

Neil Wagner came on to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth, but the Beetles staged their own rally in the inning. Allen Craig hit a two-run round tripper to centerfield to pull the Beetles to within one. With a runner on and the winning run at the plate, Wagner tossed strike three to end the rally and the game at 10-9.

Reid Fronk extended his hitting streak to 10 games, going 2-5 with two runs scored. Bobby Verbick hit his first homerun of the season going 2-4 with two RBI and platting one run. Robert Rodebaugh also drove in 2 RBI and scored one run while getting three hits in his five at bats.

Derek Tarapacki picked up his first win of the season pitching a scoreless eighth inning. Wagner’s dramatic save, was his second of the season.

The MoonDogs and Beetles kick off game two of their series on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. To listen to all the action, click on the "Listen Live” link on the MoonDogs home page where the talented John Hadden will broadcast all the excitement